Cult horror legend Bruce Campbell reveals cancer is "not curable"

Cult horror legend Bruce Campbell has revealed he has been diagnosed with cancer that is "not curable". The star, who shot to global fame after starring as Ash in Sam Raimi's Evil Dead series, said he would be cancelling a number of upcoming appearances as he undergoes treatment.

But the 67-year-old, who also starred in movies such as Maniac Cop and the Xena: Warrior Princess TV series, said he aims to be "around a while" as he is a "tough old son-of-a-b***h".

"These days, when someone is having a health issue, it's referred to as an 'opportunity', so let's go with that - I'm having one of those," the actor said. "It's also called a type of cancer that's 'treatable' not 'curable'. I apologise if that's a shock - it was to me too.

"The good news is, I'm not gonna go into any more details. I'm posting this because professionally, a few things will have to change - appearances and cons and work in general need to take a back seat to treatment. My plan is to get as well as I possibly can over the summer so that I can tour with my new movie, Ernie & Emma, this fall."

He apologised to fans over cancelled events, saying "treatment needs and professional obligations don't always go hand-in-hand". "I'm not trying to enlist sympathy - or advice - I just want to get ahead of this information in case false information gets out (which it will)," the actor added.

"Fear not, I am a tough old son-of-a-b***h and I have great support, so I expect to be around a while. As always, you're the greatest fans in the world and I hope to see you soon."

As well as his on-screen appearances, Campbell has become a mainstay of the cult convention scene, primarily for his role as Ash, with fans turning out to meet the horror hero. Between 2014 and 2016, he also organised and narrated the Bruce Campbell Horror Film Festival, which welcomed the likes of Tom Holland and Eli Roth to the Muvico Theater in Illinois.

Campbell is married to costume designer Ida Gearon and has two children from a previous marriage.